5 Reasons GoodFellas Is The Greatest Gangster Film of All Time
“No finer film has ever been made about organized crime—not even The Godfather" - Roger Ebert
Where to watch Goodfellas? View streaming options on Fiilms.
GoodFellas, is a 1990 mob themed classic film. Based on the book “Wise Guy” written by Nicholas Pileggi, the book and film chronicle the life of Henry Hill, and the twenty-five years he spent as a Lucchese crime family associate.
1. Martin Scorsese
Martin Scorsese’s, first feature-length film “Who's That Knocking at My Door” was made in 1967. So, at the time in 1990, Scorsese was gearing up to bring the world “GoodFellas”, with twenty-three years of experience, and a great catalog with him. That catalog consisting of classic films “Mean Streets”, “Taxi Driver”, and “Raging Bull”. All three of those films Include frequent collaborator and friend, Robert De Niro. Who appears in “GoodFellas” as James “The Gent” Conway, based on real life crook James Burke. Mr. Scorsese is an absolute genius when it comes down to these mob-type films. I don’t see anyone else but him, birthing such a genius film like “Goodfellas”. Mixing his skills, love for the genre, and that authentic New York-Italian identity, the world got ourselves another Scorsese masterpiece.
Fun fact: The Commercial for Morrie’s Wigs was the first scene shot for the Film. The scene was written and directed by Stephen R. Pacca.
2. An accurate depiction of the mafia lifestyle
Crime does pay. But, at the cost of what? “GoodFellas”, shows you that cost. The mob life is typically glorified by movies and television, not this film. The film is about the crime filled, dysfunctional, dreadful, and sociopathic life of Henry Hill, played by actor Ray Liotta. In the film were treated to Henry’s ups and downs, the ups being the cars, the homes, the money, the power, the respect, and the women that all comes along with it. But, best believe we the see the downs, the murders, the time in jail, the horrible domestic life, the tangled webs of so-called loyalty, and the addictions that come along with taking what you want when you want it. So once again, crime does pay, but the cost will be your sanity, morals, and sometimes your life.
3. The supporting cast
“GoodFellas”, had a huge cast with some established names and some actors eventually going on to do other great things. Martin Scorsese, Robert De Niro, and Joe Pesci came into “GoodFellas” with an almost three decade working relationship. So, that definitely added to the many reasons of why this film was so on point in its chemistry and delivery.
Paul Sorvino, playing as Paul Cicero was based on real life mob capo Paul Vario. Sorvino was perfectly casted and acted as the overseer of all the operations.
Chuck Low as Morris Kessler, Frank Sivero as Frankie Carbone, Frank DiLeo as Tuddy Cicero, Frank Vincent as Billy Batts, Samuel L. Jackson as Stacks Edwards, and Gina Mastrogiacomo as Janice Rossi not only provide great filler to push the story forward, but fit perfectly with the crazy energy. Debi Mazar showed up late as Sandy in the final act of the film, but stole the show in every scene she was in.
Watching the film and seeing how great the actors were in it, you would think these people were all family members. Well, Scorsese did use his mother Catherine Scorsese and father Charles Scorsese in the film, so I guess that sort of adds the point.
4. The attention to detail
According to the real Henry Hill, “95% of GoodFellas is accurate”. Watching the film a person would think it’s 100% accurate with how magnificent the major and minor details were captured. Scorsese, cared so much about the details, he went as far as to tie Ray Liotta’s ties for him on set. He casted real wise guys, including Tony Sirco, who went on to achieve success in the HBO show “The Sopranos”.
One of cinema’s most famous shots is the Copacabana tracking shot, showcasing the seduction of the mafia life, and Henry’s seduction on Karen, played by Lorraine Bracco who also will see future success from “The Sopranos”. We see Henry double park in front of a fire hydrant, skip the line, be embraced with smiling faces happy to see him as he and Karen stroll through a private entrance. That private entrance leads us to and through the kitchen, straight up the stairs to the front of the club where a table is immediately prepared. It took about eight try’s to get the three minute tracking down to Scorsese’s liking.
Every suit Robert De Niro wore in “Goodfellas” had a watch and pinkie ring to match. And, speaking of De Niro and him also wanting to be as authentic as possible, he required that he held real money in his hands during the filming of the movie. Before anyone could leave the set, every bill had to be accounted for. I’m surprised none of the real wise guys pocketed any of it.
5. Joe Pesci
In 1979, Pesci got a call from Scorsese and De Niro. They told him they were very fond of his performance in the movie “Death Collector” and wanted him to co-star in Scorsese’s next film, “Raging Bull”. The rest is history. Pesci, was acting as Thomas Devito, based on real life psychopath, Tommy “Two Guns” DeSimone. The real life DeSimone stood at six-foot five, so it’s safe to say the five-foot four actor had to overcompensate. And, I firmly believe that he did.
Pesci, captured just about every essence of the real DeSimone. Describe as a “homicidal maniac” by Henry Hill, seeing Pesci shift from a smiling wise cracking jokester, to murderous maniac who killed a man over a shoeshine joke was truly horrific, heinous, and fun to watch.
Scorsese allowed for plenty of improvisation, where Pesci shined the most. Case in point, the infamous “funny how?” scene wasn’t in the script, and Pesci owned the scene and the room with his death stare and complete mannerism shift from a happy guy laughing with good friends, to I think I may have to kill my good friend.
“Goodfellas” was nominated for six Oscars, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Supporting Actor. Joe Pesci took home the latter, and ended his winning night with a five word speech.